Method and machine for positioning articles to be packaged



Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 3, 1960 INVENTOR Ro s/w- H. G-wvz ATTO EY Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ 3,119,482

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Page/Pr Gil/v2 ATTO R EY Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ METHODAND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Passer/A Qmvz R. H. GANZ Jan. 28, 1964 3,119,482 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 z R N Y m HQ M M #m eeee i aeeeemwm wa vm waam em w m i 2 x 51$ a an mm. w w 4 08w 0 a e e e a Q 0 Q a m m an; 01 a n m kw o .53. H \w 4 a \m Q i Q q Q m a T Q Q Q Q on 1 Q Q\ V I, II n HIN.I H n J W. wwm H- 1 WM 1 r T I l I I N Ill l l E; 1 1 o o a i H O 0 O 0 0 0 O O O 0 O O O O 0 0| 0 O O O O 0% O "I n 0 W. .6 my? 5 v m M: 3 mvfiww 0 1% MN 11:: V n V U n p a m um w m 0 mm o a o o o o o o o o o a Q Q A0 a o o o o o a o o o o o Rh m h .1. um? m Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ 3,

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATT Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ 3,119,482

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 v 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR P029621- H. G/M z n BY 8 25 2 a i lam-o EY Jan. 28, 1964 R. H. GANZ 3,119,482

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR POSITIONI NG ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED Filed Aug. 3, 1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR APOBEAT/V. G'mvz United States Patent METHGD AND MACHHNE FOR'POSITIGNXNG ARTICLES 'TO' BE PACKAGED Robert Hr Ganz, Hackensaek, NJZ, assignorto Continental Can Qornpany, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York FiledAng. 3,,1269, Ser. No. 47,295

27 Claims. (Cl. 198-33)' This invention relates to-the positioning of containers and the like having spouts or other portions extending beyond the side portions of the containers prior to packaging. My invention has special application for use with packaging in paperboard cartonsof the wrap-aroundtype since with such a carton, itis necessary that the spouts or extending portions be positioned to prevent interference with the carton during its application to the containers.

Summary In accordance with my invention, the containers having'top portions with radially extending spouts are delivered into the machine in a row by meansof a containerfeeder device. The container feeder device serves to. oppose the pressure of-the line of containers being advanced towardthe machine and to space the containers one from another. At thispoint the spouts extending from thetop portions of the containers arepositioned in a randommanner;

As the containers leave the feeder device, they are engaged by a container conveyor which moves the containers through the'machine. Theinterval betweenthe pusher members spaced along the container conveyor is such that the spouts extending beyond the side portionsof' the .containe-rswill not interfere with one another regardless of their orientation with respect to the line of travel of the containers. The container conveyor is synchronized by chain drives with the feeder device in order that the containers may be smoothly engaged by the pusher members.

The container conveyor advances the containers onto a means for rotatingthem about their principal axis from which the spouts extend in a radial manner. The rotating means for the containers includes underlying belts or chains in contact with thebottom portions of the containers and operating in opposite directions parallel to' the line of travel of the containers being moved by the container conveyor.

in oppositedirections. The result of this contact isto apply arotating motion to the containers as they are advanced along bythe container conveyor.

In orderto position the spouts or other radially extending portions of the containers, stop. means are provided to engage and stop the spouts as the containers are rotating and being advanced by the container conveyor.

The stop. means includes a moving belt traveling along a support positioned above the containers and in the plane generally containing the principal axes of the containers from which the spouts extend in a radial manner. Stop members attached to the belts are adapted to engage the spouts'of the rotating-containers at locations between the containers which will subsequently be contained in a group packaged in a single carton blank; Since the stop members are positioned along the belt in a'manner to engage the spouts betweeneach of the containers that are to be packaged in a single group, they insure that the spouts of the end containers of a group are always positioned inwardly. This prevents interference by the extending spouts from the ends of the wrap-around carton blank. The containers within a group to be enclosed in a single carton blank are po- Each ofthe moving belts engages a portion of the bottom of the containers and urges them 3,1 19,482 Patented Jan; 28,1964

2 sitionedin a random manneron either side of their ad'- jacent stop members while the spouts ofthe end containers of the group are always positioned on a predetermined side of a stop member adjacentto them as-deterrnined by the sense of rotation imparted to the containers by the underlying belts.

During rotation of the containers and their ultimate engagement with the stop members; the container conveyor continues to move the'containers forward through the machine at unifornrintervals-between thecont'ainers; In-order to provide accesstothe" portion of the machines where the containers are rotated,- the support member of the stop meansis pivotally mountedsothat the entire assembly may beswung out of the'way. Thismo tion is possible since the belt means-guided by the su'p port member merely moves around to it as the support member is positionedi With the spout of the containers urged against the stop members, the containers pass beyondthe underly ing belts which serve to rotatethem'. Thecontainers then pass beyond the end portions of the stop'means as their upper portions, including the spouts, are advanced by the container conveyor between spaced guide members which prevent any further rotation of the containers which could change the arrangement imparted by the StOp'IneanS. While between the guide rails the'containers travel beyond the end-portion of the container con veyor and once againcornein'contact with the adjacent containers While maintaining the positioning of the spout; At this point the containers are ready for delivery into: the packaging machine for applicationofthe' wrap-around' carton. The packaging machine'is synchronized toreceive. the containers in the order that. the spouts; have been positioned so as to. insure that the en-dcon-taine'rs have spouts turned inwardly with respect tothe'carton."

Other features and advantages of .my invention'will' appear as the description proceeds.

Description In the drawings, -I have illustrated a machine to show the best mode contemplatedbyme' of carrying'outmy' invention forpositioningcontainers which are who sub sequently packaged in a w'rap-aroundcarton.

FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of the'drivesdirectlyfassociatedwith the container feede'r device, the container conveyor, and the stop, means. I

FIG. 2 is a' perspective View of the drives associated withthecontainer delivery conveyor andth'e means for rotating .the containers.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal"sectionalview of' the machine ta'ken'along the line3-3 in FIGS.-4A and 43.

FIGS; 4A and4B, when connected together are. of a portion of the stop means andicontainer. conveyor taken along. the line 4A-4A and 4"B'.4B, respectively,'. in. EIGI-B.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the machine taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectiona'l view of the pivotalsupport for the stop means taken along the line. 66 ofFIGS 4Atand 5. 7

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional. view showing, the engagementof the stopmeanswith thespout of the? container taken along the line 7-7 ofFIG. 4B.

FIG; 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the cone tainer spouts positioned against the stop means taken along-the line-88"of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal'sectional'view showing the con-- tainers, disposed within th'e carton with the spouts poSitioned inwardly; I a

FIG; 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the stop members.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the grooved support plate.

Containers are delivered to the machine by means of a container delivery conveyor or belts 11 (FIG. 4A) which are driven by sprocket 12 mounted upon shaft 13. The containers are steadily advanced in the direction of feeder device 14 by the action of delivery conveyor 11 against the bottom portions of the containers. Feeder device 14 (FIG. 3) includes feeder conveyor 15 to which are attached lug members 16 at intervals. Containers 10 approaching feeder device 14 are urged into contact with one another by the action of delivery conveyor 11. Feeder device 14 serves to separate and advance the containers individually from the row of incoming containers. Lug members 16 attached to feeder conveyor 15 engage the leading portions of the containers adjacent to sprocket 17 at the entry point of feeder device 14. The containers being delivered along delivery conveyor 11 push the forward container against lug member 16 until it has advanced to a point where the subsequent lug engages the next of the incoming containers. At this point the spacing of lug members 16 along feeder conveyor 15 insures a spacing along the line of travel between the containers. Feeder conveyor 15 is driven about sprocket 17 and sprocket 18 by means of drive sprocket 19 mounted upon shaft 20 which extends from miter gear box 21. Sprocket 17 is positioned outwardly from sprocket 18 so that feeder conveyor 15 approaches the row of containers being fed at an angle in order to insure the smooth and gradual entry of lug members 16 between the containers.

The containers are constrained to travel in a row by means of parallel spaced lower guides 22 and upper guides 23 (FIG. 5). The upper guide which is disposed adjacent to feeder device 14 is supported by spacers 24 while the other upper guide is supported by attachment to the machine frame members (not shown). Lower guides 22 are supported by spacers 25.

Containers 10 have upper portions 26 to which are attached caps 27. To facilitate the dispensing of the liquid or other material contained within the container cap 27 can be provided with spout 28 extending radially therefrom. For convenience and ease of handling spout 28 may extend beyond the perimeter of container 10 (FIGS. 8 and 9).

It is evident that in order to apply a close fitting wraparound carton blank 29 about a group of containers, it is necessary that spouts 28 be oriented with respect to carton blank 23 so as to eliminate any interference with the blank. At the same time in order to protect the spout by precluding the possibility of the spouts projecting beyond the end portions of the carton, it is necessary that the spouts of the end containers in a group enclosed in carton blank 29 be directed inwardly with respect to the carton blank. After being separated from the incoming containers, feeder device 14 advances the containers with intervals therebetween into the machine. The intervals are such that spouts 28 of the container are prevented from interfering or contacting one another.

The means for conveying the containers through the machine includes conveyor 30 to which is attached pusher members 31 at intervals of suflicient distance that the spouts of each of the containers are provided with clearance to the spouts of the adjacent containers. Container conveyor 30 is driven by drive sprocket 32 mounted upon shaft 33 which extends from miter gear box 34. Container conveyor 30 is positioned to have a line of travel parallel to the guides 22 and 23 by means of sprockets 35 and 36. Sprocket 35 is positioned proximate to the end portion of feeder device 14 adjacent to sprocket 18 so that pusher members 31 move around sprocket 35 and engage containers 10 as they pass beyond lug members 16 adjacent to sprocket 18. When engaged with the containers, pusher members 31 advance in a line of direction located between lower and upper guides, 22 and 23 (FIG. 5).

After passing beyond the end portions of container conveyor 11 adjacent to sprocket 12, containers 10 are sup- 4 ported by plate 37 (FIG. 4A) to the point where the containers pass beyond feeder device 14 and are engaged by container conveyor 30. As the containers are engaged by container conveyor 30, the spouts are located in a random manner with respect to the line of travel. In order to position the spouts in a predetermined manner it is necessary to rotate containers 10 about their principal axes from which the spout projects radially which in this case are the vertical axes of the containers. The means for rotating containers It) includes belts or chains 38a and 38b (FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5) which are spaced from one another and are in underlying contact with the bottom portions of the containers at opposite sections thereof. The bottom portions of the containers in contact with chains 38a and 38b also bear upon plate 39 (FIG. 5) disposed between the two spaced chains.

Chains 38a and 381) are powered by drive sprockets 40a and 40b, respectively, mounted upon axle 41 and positioned with respect to one another by spacer 42. Axle 41 is supported by bushings 43 mounted in support members 44 and positioned axially by collars 45. At the end upposite from drive sprockets 40a and 40b, chains 38a and 38b pass around sprockets 46a and 46b, respectively, which are attached to shafts 47a and 47b, respectively (FIG. 2) pivoted in the machine frame members. To elfect the rotation of the containers, chains 38a and 381) are driven in opposite directions thereby applying frictional torque to the bottom portions of the containers in contact with the chains. To cause a counter-clockwise rotation of the containers as viewed in FIG. 3 chain 40b is driven in a direction of travel of the containers as determined by container conveyor 30 while chain 40a is driven in opposite direction. As the containers rotate about their vertical axes, they continue to be advanced by the urging of pusher members 31 so that the bottom portions of the containers slide along chain 38a and plate 39.

In order to position spouts 28 of each of the containers which are subsequently to be packaged together in a group, a stop means is provided disposed between the upper portions of the container to engage and hold the spouts of the rotating containers in a predetermined fashion. The stop means includes stop conveyor 48 traveling about support plate 49 which is disposed in substantially a vertical plane overlying the center portion of the path of travel of the containers. Stop chain 48 is driven along the edge of support plate 49 and about end portion 50 of the support plate by means of drive sprocket 51 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Sprocket 51 is attached to shaft 52 supported by pillow blocks 53 and 54 mounted upon brackets 55. Shaft 52 is positioned by means of sleeve 56 so as to align the plane of travel of chains 48 over the center line of plate 39 along which containers 10 are advanced by conveyor 30.

Stop members 57 are attached to stop chain 48 and spaced at intervals so as to be disposed between the containers which are to be those of a group enclosed within the wrap-around carton. As shown in FIG. 4A the machine is set up for groups of three cartons each, so that stop members 57 are attached to stop chain 48 in spaced pairs adapted to travel between the containers forming a group of three in such a manner as to straddle cap 27 of the center container of the groups of three. The containers begin to rotate as they enter upon chains 38 and 30b while at the same time they pass beneath stop chain 48 carrying stop members 57. At this point the containers are spaced equally apart by means of pusher members 31 which are advancing the containers through the machine. The leading container of a group of three containers (FIG. 4A) which are subsequently to be packaged in a single wrap-around carton blank is positioned in advance of the leading stop member of a pair of stop members. At the same time, the central container of a group of three is straddled by a pair of stop members while the trailing container of a group of three is adjacent to a stop member only at the ieading portion of its top portions. As shown in FIG. 4A it is evident that the leading container of the group of three is free to rotate until spout 23 comes into contact with stop member 57 on the side of the stop member adjacent to container conveyor 30. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4A, spout 28 of the center container can rotate until it contacts the side of the stop member adjacent the container conveyor. The trailing container of the group of three is free to rotate until its spout contacts the side of the adjacent-stop member facing away from container conveyor 30.

As shown in FIG. 8 with the containers traveling in a direction toward the left of the figure and with the con tainers rotating in a counter-clockwise manner it is evident that the spout of the leading container will always rest upon the portion of the stop member facing the bottom of the figure or the container conveyor while the spout of the trailing container will always rest against the side of the stop member away from the bottom of the figure or the container conveyor. It is also evident that the spout ofthe center conveyor may come to rest against either of the stop members straddling its cap as determined by the relative position of the spoutand stop membersas the container enters beneath stop chain 48.

For the case where a different number of containers than the three discussed are to be packaged in a single carton, it is evident that the number of stop members required is a number equal to one less than the number of containers to be contained in the single carton. This arrangement insures that a stop member is disposed be tween the upper portions of adjacent cans with the regions in front of and'behind the leading and trailing containers, respectively, being free of stop members.

During operation of the machine it may be necessary to have access to the portion of the machine underlying stop chain 48 and support plate 49. Consequently support plate 49 is provided with a pivotal support about the axis of shaft 52. Arm 53 extending from sleeve 56 encircling shaft 52 is attached to support plate 49 by means of screws 59 (FIG. 6). The normal operating position of support plate 49 is determined by stop screw 60 mounted. in bracket 61 attached to support plate 49 adjacent to its outboard end (FIGS. 4B and 7). Stop screw 64) bears upon one of spout guide rails 62 between which the spouts travel-after they have been positioned by the rotating motion induced by the chains 46a and 46b and the engaging action of stop members 57. The spouts enter between the spout guide rails 62 before the containers leave the control of stop members 57 so as to insure thatthe positioning of the spouts once established is maintained during the remainder of travel of the containers through the machine. Spout guide rails 62 are positioned above upper guides 23 by means of spacers 63.

The moment applied to support plate 45 by sprocket 51 drivingstop chain 48 is in a direction to raise support plate 49 but is opposed by, the weight of support plate 49 and stop chain 43-so that the assembly-operates in its normal down position. To have access to the area beneath, support plate 49 may be elevated with the result thatsleeve. 56 rotates about shaft 52. Stop chain 48 is free to rotate about sprocket 51 so that the chain pro vides no restraint against the upward motion of support plate 49.

The drives to. the various portions of the machine are shown by schematic representations in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the perspective views of the drives, arrows are used to indicate the direction of rotation of the various sprockets and shafts and. also to indicate the direction of linear motion of the various belts and chains. Power is supplied to the machine from the packaging machine for applying the Wrap-around carton 29 by means of chain 64 which drives sprockets 65 and 66 attached to main shafts 67 and 68, respectively, and which passes-over idler sprocket 69 mounted on shaft 70.

Container conveyor 11 which delivers the containers toward feeder device 14 is driven by sprocket 12 mounted 6. on shaft 13 which in turn' is driven by sprocket 71 through chain 72 in mesh with sprocket 73 of main shaft 68. The driving of container conveyor 11 from main shaft 68 serves to relate the speed and consequently the delivery of the containers to'the speed of'operation of the remainder of the machine.

Feeder device 14 including feeder conveyor 15'is driven by sprocket 19' mounted upon shaft 20 01f miter gear box 21. The miter gear box is driven by. sprocket 74"through shaft 75. Sprocket.74 is driven by chain 76.w hich'is in turn driven by sprocket 77 attached to main shaft 68-. Main shaft 67 is powered by means-of sprocket 66. which is driven by chain 64 from/the packaging machine.

Container conveyor 30- which moves the containers through the major portion of the machine-isdriven by sprocket 32 mounted onwslraftv 33 ofmiter gear box 34. Miter gear box 34 is driven by chain 78in mesh with sprocket 79 which is attachedto shaftsstl. Chain.78 is powered by sprocket 81' attached to main shaft- 68. By driving the two miter gear boxes, 21 and 34; from a common shaft, namely main shaft 68,.the synchronizationof feeder device 14- and container conveyor 30' is insured so that pusher members 31 may smoothly engage containers 10 as they are advanced by pusher membersto the portion of the feeder device adjacentto sprocket-18.

Chain 40a of the pair of chains utilized to rotate the containers about substantially vertical axes is mountedupon axle 4-1 and is driven by sprocket 82 connectedto sprocket 4011 by means of coupling 83. Sprocket. 82 is in iturn driven by chain 84 which passes around sprocket 85 mounted on main shaft 67. Chain 4% is. driven in a direction opposite to thatof chain 40*aby sprocket 86. which is connected to sprocket :40bby means of coupling, 87. Sprocket 40b is mounted upon axle 41. Sprocket 46 is driven by chain 88 which passes over sprocket89 at-- taclhed to main shaft 68. The difference in thedirection. of rotation of main shaftn67. and. 68 is transmitted tochains 40a and 4012 so that they too rotate and travel in opposite directions.

Stop chain 48 is drivenbydrive sprocket-51 attachedto shaft 52. Intulrn shaft 52 is driven by sprocket 90 through chain 91. The drive to chain 91 -is provided by sprocket 92 mounted upon mainshaft 67.

In a modification of the machine, stop members 93- (FIG. 10)- having a:pointedrform may be employed. Such stop members can be fabricated from resilient material such as rubber. As the incoming'containers pass beneathstop chain 48 .-they-are rotartedabout their ver-- t-ical axes by engagementwith chains 38a and 38b. If:

at the instant spout 28 of one ofthe containersds positioned alonglthei centerline of the: machine in a-direct-ion opposite to that of. container movement as that con-- tamer passes beneath shaft 52, the pointed form of stopmember 93 reduces the possibility of the stop member descending directly onto the. spout and damaging. it. In

addition, some degree of contact occurs with spout2'8" at this location, the resilient material enables the stop member. to deflect and free the spout from interference.

The container then can rotate further until the side of 62 and onto support plate 94-cont-ainingjsharp, edges 95 on the surface in contact with the container bottoms Edges. 95v can have a saw-tooth cross-sectionextending along parallel to the longitudinal axis of support plate 94. The sharp edges guide the containers and pre Since the edges (=FIG. 1'1).

vent rotation of them as they advance.

con-tact the central bottom portion of the containers, the tendency for the containers to rotate is minimized. For the case where the containers are provided with a surface finish such as enamel or lacquer, the gooves can be formed with sufficiently sharp edges to lightly scribe the finish, thereby providing a mechanical engagement between the containers and the edges.

Operation As a further aid to the understanding of my invention, I shall describe the preferred sequence of operating steps.

Containers 10 having radially extending spouts 28 are advanced toward feeder device 14 at the entrance to the machine by the urging of delivery conveyor 11 underlying the bottom portions of the containers. As the containers are advanced by delivery conveyor 11, the containers contact and bear upon one another. The leading container of those being advanced by delivery conveyor 11 moves into contact and bears upon lug member 16 attached to feeder conveyor 15 of feeder device 14. The lug member holds the incoming containers against the urging of the delivery conveyor 11. Lug members 16 separate the containers, one at a time, from the incoming line of containers and advance them forward into the machine. container in the row of incoming ones, the next container bears upon the following lug member. The interval between lug members is sufiieiently large to permit rotation of the containers without interference between spouts 28 extending from caps 27.

At the exit portion of feeder device 14 adjacent sprocket 18, the containers are engaged by pusher members 31 attached to container conveyor 30. Similarly to the lug members of the feeder conveyor, the pusher members of the container conveyor are spaced from one another so that the containers bearing against them may rotate without interference between the spouts of adjacent containers. Drive to feeder conveyor 15 and container conveyor 30 are synchronized so that pusher members 31 smoothly engage the containers as they approach the end portion of feeder device 14 adjacent to sprocket 18.

In order to position spouts 28 of the containers it is necessary to move or rotate the containers about their vertical axes. To accomplish rotation of the containers, container conveyor 30 advances them onto spaced and parallel chains 40a and 40b which underlie and are in contact with the bottom portions of the containers adjacent to plate 39. Chains 40a and 40b which are positioned parallel to the line of travel of the containers are driven in opposite directions. The frictional engagement of the oppositely moving chains with the bottom portions of the containers causes them to rotate substantially about their vertical axis as the containers continue to move forward through the machine.

As the containers leave feeder device 14 and are engaged by container conveyor 30 the containers enter upon chains 40a and 401) while at the same time pass beneath stop chain 48 containing spaced stop members 57 and traveling around support plate 49. Stop chain 48 is disposed above the center portion of the containers and travels in the same direction. Stop members 57 are spaced at intervals along stop chain 48 so that they may enter between upper portions 26 of the containers which are to be subsequently packaged as a group in a wrap-around carton blank. Consequently, a stop member is not positioned between the trailing container of the leading group and the leading container of the trailing group.

As the containers advance due to the pushing action of container conveyor 30 and while the containers rotate under the urging of chains 40a and 4%, the spouts move with a rotary motion until they are engaged by stop members 57 extending between upper portions 26 of the containers to be subsequently packaged as a group. The spouts of the end containers of the group always come to a rest position with the spouts extending inwardly toward the inner containers of the group. This arrange- As the lug member separates the forward ment is the one best suited for packaging since it precludes interference of the spouts at the end of the carton as well as interference with the carton blank as it is wrapped about the containers. With the spouts resting against the stop members, the containers are advanced by the container conveyor until caps 27 enter between spout guide rails 62. The containers are then advanced beyond the end portion of the chains which induce the rotary motion and subsequently reach a point where pusher members 31 of container conveyor 39 begin to move from engagement with the containers. Near the location where the pusher members begin to withdraw, stop chain 48 moves upwardly about support plate 4% thereby removing stop members 57 from engagement with spouts 28. Here the positioning of the containers has been completed and the orientation imparted to them is maintained by spout guide rail 62. The close parallel spacing prevents any extensive rotational motion of spouts 28. The containers are then discharged from the machine with their spouts properly positioned to permit the subsequent application of a wrap-around carton blank.

I claim:

1. In a machine for positioning articles to be subsequently packaged in groups, said articles having radially extending portions, means for conveying the articles through the machine, the articles being spaced with respect to the adjacent articles in the direction of travel so as to provide clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, means for rotating each of the articles being conveyed about the principal axis of the article from which said portion extends radially, and means for stop ping the rotation of the rotating articles, said stopping means being disposed between each of the articles to be packaged in one of said groups and moving substantially in the direction of and at the speed of said conveying means, said stopping means being adapted to engage said radially extending portion of the rotating articles at points disposed between the articles, said stopping means being spaced from the stopping means for a succeeding group of articles to permit said radially extending portions to move around without stopping until they engage the stopping means disposed between the articles of a group, whereby said radially extending portions are positioned substantially in alignment with the path of travel of the articles with those of the end articles of each of said groups being directed toward the interior of said group.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for conveying the articles through the machine includes driving means disposed adjacent to the articles and pusher members attached thereto, said pusher members being attached to said driving means at intervals of sufficient magnitude so that the articles in contact with the pusher members may rotate freely with clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 2 in which said driving means includes belt means disposed adjacent to the side of the articles and in which said pusher members extend substantially at right angles from said driving means between the articles.

4. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for conveying the articles through the machine includes driving means disposed adjacent to the articles and pusher members attached thereto, said pusher members being attached to said driving means at intervals of sulficient magnitude so that the articles in contact with the pusher members may rotate freely with clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, and guide means disposed adjacent the articles to maintain the articles in a row.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for rotating the articles includes belt means disposed in the direction of travel of the articles and in contact with a portion of each article to be rotated, said belt means being driven at a speed relative to that of said conveying means, said relative speed causing rotation of the articles.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for rotating the articles includes belt means disposed in the direction of travel of the articles and'in.

contact with opposite sections thereof, said belt means moving with relative velocity therebetween, whereby each article is rotated about its principal axis from which said portion extends radially.

7. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for rotating the articles includes belt means disposed in the direction of travel of. the articles and in underlying contact with opposite sections thereof, said.

belt means moving in opposite directions, whereby each article is rotatedabout its principal axis from which said portion extends radially.

8. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said stopping. means includes. moving belt means and means for supporting said moving belt. means, said supporting means being pivotally mounted, whereby said supporting means may be swung about said pivotal mounting .to provide access to the articles adjacent thereto.

9. A machine in accordance with claim 1 in which said.

11. A machine in accordance with claim in which said stop members are of resilient material.

12. In a machine for positioning articles to be subsequently packaged in groups, said articles having radially extending portions, means for feeding the articles into the:

machine in rows, the articles being spaced with respect to the adjacent articles in the direction of travel so as to provide clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, means for conveying the articles through the machine, means for rotating each of the articles being conveyed about the principal axis of the article from which-said'portion extends radially, means for stop:- ping the rotation of'the rotating articles, said stopping means being disposedbetween each of the articles to be subsequently packaged in one of said groups and moving substantially in the direction of-and at the speed of said conveying means, said stopping means being adapted to engage said radially extending portion of the rotating articles at points disposed between the articles, said stopping means being spaced from the stopping means for a succeeding group of articles to permit said radially extending portions to move around without stopping until they engage the stopping means disposed between the articles of a group, and means for maintaining the relative position of the articles engaged by said stopping means with respect to the path of travel, whereby said radially extending portions are positioned substantially in alignment with the path of travel of the articles with those of the end articles of each of said groups being directed toward the interior of said groups.

13. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for conveying the articles through the machine includes driving means disposed adjacent to the articles and pusher members attached thereto, said pusher members being attached to said driving means at intervals of sufiicient magnitude so that the articles in contact with the pusher member may rotate freely with clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles.

14. In a machine in accordance with claim 13 in which said driving means includes belt means disposed adjacent to the side of the articles and in which said pusher members extend substantially at right angles from saiddriving means between the articles.

15. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for conveying the articles through-the machineincludes driving means disposed adjacent to the articlesand pusher members attached thereto, said pusher members being attached tosaid driving means at intervals of sulficient magnitude so that the articles in contact with the pusher members may rotate freely withclearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, and guide means disposed adjacent the articles to maintainthe articles ina row.

16. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for rotating the articles includes belt means disposed in the direction of travel of the articles and in contact with aportionof each article to.be rotated, said belt means being driven ata speed relative to that of said conveying means, said relative speed causing rotation of the articles.

17. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said meansfor rotating the articles includes belt means disposed inthe direction of travel of the articles and in contact with oppositesections thereof,,said belt means moving with relative velocity therebetween, whereby each article is rotated about its principal axis from which said portion extends radially.

18. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for rotating the articles includes belt means disposed in the direction of travel of the articles and inv underlying contact with opposite sections thereof; said belt means moving in opposite; directions, wherebyeach arti. cle is rotated about its principal axis from which said portion extends radially.

19. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which saidmeansfor stopping the rotation of the'rotating artioles includesdriving meansadjacent to andmoving inthe direction of travel of thearticles being conveyed at substantially the same speed as the articles and, stop members attachedto said drivingmeans and; disposed between each of the articles to be packaged in one of said groups in order toengage the-radiallyextendin-g portion.

of the rotating articles.

20. In a machine in accordance with claim 19 in which said drivingmeans includes moving belt means and means t for supporting said moving belt means, said supporting means being pivotally mounted, whereby said supporting means may. be swung about said pivotal mounting to provide access to the articles adjacent thereto.

21. In a machine in accordance with claim 19 in which said driving means includes moving belt means, and means for supporting said belt means, said supporting means positioning said belt means encircling it in a substantially vertical plane overlying the articles, said sup porting means being pivotally mounted adjacent one of its end portions, whereby said belt means and said supporting means together may be swung about said pivotal mount to provide access to the articles adjacent thereto.

22. In a machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for maintaining the relative position of the articles engaged by said stopping means with respect to the path of travel includes spaced guide means substantially parallel to the path of travel and disposed to receive therebetween the radially extending portions having said relative positions, said guide means preventing substantial movement of said radially extending portions from said relative positions.

23. A machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for maintaining the relative position of the articles engaged by said stopping means with respect to the path of travel includes a support plate underlying and being in contact with the central bottom portions of the articles being conveyed, the contacting portion of said support plate being "a plurality of sharp edge members extending parallel to the path of travel of the articles, whereby the contact of said sharp edge members with said articles prevents rotation of said articles on said support plate.

24. A machine in accordance with claim 12 in which said means for maintaining the relative position of the articles engaged by said stopping means with respect to the path of travel includes spaced guide means substantially parallel to the path of travel and disposed to receive therebetween the radially extending portions having said relative positions, said guide means preventing substantial movement of said radially extending portions from said relative positions and a support plate disposed beyond said spaced guide means in the direction of travel, said support plate under-lying and being in contact with the central bottom portions of the articles being conveyed, the contacting portion of said support plate being a plurality of sharp edge members extending parallel to the path of travel of the articles, whereby the contact of said sharp edge members with said articles prevents rotation of said articles or said support plate.

25. In a machine for positioning articles to be packaged in groups, said articles having radially extending portions, means for rotating each of the articles about the principal axis of the articles from which said portion extends radially, and means for stopping the rotation of the rotating articles, said stopping means being disposed between each of the articles to be packaged in one of said groups, said stopping means being adapted to engage said radially extending portions of the rotating articles at points disposed between the articles, said stopping means being spaced from the stopping means for a succeeding group of articles to permit said radially extending portions to move around without stopping until they engage the stopping means disposed between the articles of a group, whereby said radially extending portions are positioned substantially in alignment with said stopping means with those of the end articles of each of said groups being directed toward the interior of the group.

26. The method of positioning articles to be subsequently packaged in groups, said articles having radially extending portions, which includes conveying the articles through the machine, the articles being spaced with respect to the adjacent articles in the direction of travel so as to provide clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, rotating each of the articles being conveyed about the principal axis of' the axis of the article from which said portion extends radially, and engaging said radially extending portions of the rotating articles being conveyed in the region between each of the articles which are to be subsequently packaged in a group, said engaging of the articles being confined to said region between the articles of a group to permit said radially extending portions to move around without stopping until they encounter the engaging action between the articles of a group whereby said radially extending portions are positioned substantially in alignment with the path of travel of the articles with those of the end articles of each of said groups being directed toward the interior of the group.

27. The method of positioning articles to be subsequently packaged in groups, said articles having radially extending portions, which includes feeding the articles into the machine in rows, the articles being spaced with respect to the adjacent articles in the direction of travel so as to provide clearance between the radially extending portions of adjacent articles, conveying the articles through the machine, the articles being spaced with respect to the adjacent articles in the direction of travel so as to provide clearance between the radially extending portions of the adjacent articles, rotating each of the articles being conveyed about the principal axis of the articles from which said portions extend radially, engaging said radially extending porti-ons of the rotating articles being conveyed in the region between each of the articles which are to be subsequently packaged in a group, said engaging of the articles being confined to said region between the articles of a group to permit said radially extending portions to move around without stopping until they encounter the engaging action between the articles of a group, and maintaining the relative position of the articles with respect to the path of travel, said articles having their radially extending portions engaged, whereby said radially extending portions are positioned substantially in alignment with the path of travel of the articles with those of the end articles of each of said groups being directed toward the interior of the group.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,115,061 Darling Apr. 26, 1938 2,543,142 Wehmiller Feb. 27, 1951 2,547,729 Aiken Apr. 3, 1951 2,630,207 Joy Mar. 3, 1953 2,706,031 C-apstack Apr. 12, 1955 2,820,540 Klinzing Jan. 21, 1958 2,873,842 Erickson Feb. 17, 1959 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR POSITIONING ARTICLES TO BE SUBSEQUENTLY PACKAGED IN GROUPS, SAID ARTICLES HAVING RADIALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS, MEANS FOR CONVEYING THE ARTICLES THROUGH THE MACHINE, THE ARTICLES BEING SPACED WITH RESPECT TO THE ADJACENT ARTICLES IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL SO AS TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RADIALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF ADJACENT ARTICLES, MEANS FOR ROTATING EACH OF THE ARTICLES BEING CONVEYED ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL AXIS OF THE ARTICLE FROM WHICH SAID PORTION EXTENDS RADIALLY, AND MEANS FOR STOPPING THE ROTATION OF THE ROTATING ARTICLES, SAID STOPPING MEANS BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN EACH OF THE ARTICLES TO BE PACKAGED IN ONE OF SAID GROUPS AND MOVING SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE DIRECTION OF AND AT THE SPEED OF SAID CONVEYING 